The planning system desperately needs reform. I’ve sat in so many planning meetings at Tory, Labour & Lib Dem councils. The system can be grubby, convoluted & I’d even say corrupt.

Reforms might solve some of that. But will they really help a generation onto the housing ladder?

It's clear that town hall chiefs across the political spectrum have concerns about Robert Jenrick's planning reforms.

As Councillor @CllrDRodwell says: “These changes are potentially disastrous for Londoners.” https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/councils-slam-robert-jenrick-planning-reforms-a4518091.html

Deputy Mayor @tomcopley says: “They are now proposing a top down reorganisation of the planning system which is going to actually take power away from local councils and local communities and hand them to the Secretary of State and hand them to developers.”

It's not just Labour raising concerns.

Tory Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the LGA, said it was “vital” that new homes were built through a locally led planning system, otherwise there was a “risk [of] giving developers the freedom to ride roughshod over local areas”.

Tory councillor Mark Crane, of the District Councils’ Network, said: “We cannot compromise on the quality of new homes and places and side-line public consultation.”

Another town hall leader, Camden's @Georgia_Gould, says: “This Government is ... attacking council’s ability to build council homes.”